AI/ML & Data Community Durban

Season of AI is a Microsoft Community Pilot where Microsoft provides free content (slide decks, videos, etc.) for anyone to use at community events. Each quarter, there is a differently themed Season of AI, and this quarter’s theme is Season of Agents.

We, Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban, want to continue our uber-successful Season of AI events, so we are proud to announce that Season of Agents is landing in Durban on May 24, 2025, in the guise of Data & AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI — The Age of Agency.

Data & AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI - The Age of Agency

Data & AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI — The Age of Agency is our own take, plus more, on Season of Agents. It is a full-day, in-person event for the community by the community where we deep dive into the most exciting innovations in AI, data, and cloud technologies. It is packed with cutting-edge insights and networking opportunities and promises an exciting, in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence and other hot topics in the realm of Data & AI.

What to Expect

Seeing the title of the event you can obviously expect topics AI Agents and how they act on their own, learn, interact with other agents, and adapt. As part of AI Agents you can also expect topics around the Model Context Protocol (MCP). The MCP is a new protocol that allows AI agents to communicate with each other and share information, enabling them to work together more effectively. This is a game-changer for the future of AI and will open up new possibilities for collaboration and innovation.

However if you are not into AI Agents and/or think “my name is Bond, James Bond” when you hear the word agents, don’t worry. Since the event is organized by Azure, AI/ML & Data Community Durban we have a mix of other cool topics. So, expect topics along the lines of:

Generative AI: Explore the transformative power of AI in content creation and innovation.
Database Development: Learn best practices and emerging trends in modern database management.
Power Platform & Low Code: Discover how to leverage low-code solutions for rapid application development.
Machine Learning & AI: Dive into the world of machine learning and its applications in various industries.
Streaming Data & Real-Time Analytics: Harness the potential of real-time data processing for actionable insights.
Vibe Coding: Feel the vibe, dude! Explore the intersection of coding and creativity in the digital age.
And Much More: Engage with a variety of topics that cater to all facets of Data & AI.

Even though Season of AI is a Microsoft initiative, there will be topics covering non-Microsoft tech as well. The event will feature a mix of 50-minute and 20-minute sessions, with speakers from a diverse panel of experts, architects, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) who are all at the forefront of their fields. At this event we will continue with the immensly popular panel discussion from last event where you can ask questions to the speakers.

NOTE: We are changing the format slightly. The “long” sessions will be 50 minutes instead of 60 minutes. This is to allow for easier scheduling.

So, whether you’re interested in AI Agents, Azure Open AI, eager to explore the latest in Generative AI, passionate about database development, fascinated by machine learning, or interested in the world of streaming, there’s something for everyone. Our expert speakers are ready to share their insights and experiences, providing you with the knowledge and inspiration to propel your projects and career forward. This event is a MUST-ATTEND! 📈🤖

Why Attend

Data & AI Community Day Durban: Season of AI - The Age of Agency is a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with peers, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies in Data & AI. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in the field, this event offers something for everyone. Don’t miss this chance to connect with like-minded individuals, expand your knowledge, and take your career to the next level.

Here are some quotes from previous events:

The speakers were wonderful gave such insightful talks. What I enjoyed the most was the panel discussion. If possible may it be included more.

An amazing experience that i wish to attend again as i learned so much

What an incredible time at the Data and AI event in Durban! We had a blast sharing knowledge and connecting with 230 AI enthusiasts who are as passionate about the future of technology as we are! A massive shoutout to the organizers and sponsors for making this event possible. Your hard work and support made it a huge success!

An amazing and insightful event to meet likeminded developers. You get a chance to meet and learn from industry giants.

This wasn’t just a local event but a world class AI and Data Conference for KZN , it reminded me as though I was at the Africa AI Expo last November in Sandton, this is how much this event has grown, and many new corners. Well done to all the amazing speakers and sponsors.

Links

Click on respective link for more information:

Speakers
Registration
Agenda
Venue

Speakers

The call for speakers (CfS) has now closed, and we are happy to announce that we have a stellar line-up of speakers for the event: thought leaders in their respective fields, Microsoft MVPs, Software Architects, etc. The line-up looks like so:

View Speakers

Even though the CfS has closed, we are still looking for speakers for upcoming events. If you are interested in speaking, please contact us. New speakers and/or local talent is always welcome!

Sessions

The awesome speakers you see above will be presenting on the following topics:

View Sessions

We, the organizing committee, are very excited about the topics and speakers, and we hope you are too!

Registration

The registration is now closed as the event is officially sold out! It may be that we get cancellations before the event, so if you’re interested in attending, please email us. If a spot opens up, we’ll notify you!

We are looking forward to seeing you all at the event!

Agenda

Seeing all the awesome speakers and topics, you are probably wondering what the agenda looks like. I am happy to say that we now have an agenda for the event! We believe it is pretty solid(there may be a change or two), and we hope you will like it. The agenda looks like so:

View Agenda

When looking at the agenda, please note the following:

Registration starts at 08:00, and the event starts at 08:20 sharp. There will be some interesting topics covered in the Welcome / Introduction session, so please try to be there on time.
The event ends at 18:00. Please try to stay for the entire event, as we have some exciting things planned for the end of the event.
Some sessions are 20 minute sessions and some ar 50 minutes. In the agenda, we have indicated the start time of the session and the length above the session title.
Thera are 10 minute breaks between sessions, and a 70 minute break for lunch.
The panel discussion we introduced in the previous event is back, and we hope we’ll have some interesting discussions.

Just to be clear, the agenda is subject to change. We will update the agenda as and when changes occur. However, we are extremeley excited about the agenda, and we hope you are too!

Venue

The venue for the event has yet to be confirmed. We are looking at a venue that can accommodate a large number of attendees and has ample parking. We will update this page as soon as the venue is confirmed.